Gehl is dropping is Ag line

[Robert_in_NY]

Personally I think this is terrible. Gehl makes some great products and I love my Gehl discbine. I feel bad for anyone who just bought a new machine as the resale just took a huge nose dive /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

A sad day in the haying and forage world /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Gehl News release

 

[plumboy]

Isn't gehl discbine and haybine now labeled under the massey name.

 

[plumboy]

Maybe thats the new idea stuff.

I didnt know mustang and gehl where the same though.

 

[HayDR]

Gehl always made good products and for many years they were one of the leaders in Hay technology. But Gehl kept its focus on the Dairy Industry and just did not offer the products that the largest producers and part-timers wanted. While all the time the Dairy farmers were leaving the industry in droves. They grew their company on the industrial side and the R&D money was gone for the AG side so it was starved off.

 

[jimg]

If no one picks up their line of hay equipment then what does that do for the supply of spare parts? I suppose Gehl will supply parts as long as they last but probably not beyond that. I was looking at Gehl mowers but if I cant get parts thats a showstopper. Id be interested in what others have experienced in this situation.

 

[HayDR]

Betrayal is the exact word choice needed. Gehl released the news to the public at 8:05 am and then called the dealers at 10:00 am. to inform the dealer of Gehl's plan of action. Over the last 2 years there were 2 substantial offers for purchase of the viable parts of the AG division. The Stock holders should know this. The pride of the CEO and the Gehl family caused the management to refuse the offers. This position taken by the management hurt the people most that stuck with the company. This defiantly is a contingent liability that should be listed on Gehl's financial statements.

I too am a manufacturer and have stopped making some items that were not profitable but I did not close down the entire division or stopped when the dealers had lots full of equipment. We informed the dealers we would not be making that item next season. We gave the dealers time to replace the said implements with other MFG products. Gehl should be taught a lesson in the courts by their dealers. Gehl management executed this disclosure in an pampas erudite way. Gehl management should have to realize the did financial damage to their dealer network. The dealers should be able to recoup damages for the way this disclosure was handled. I saw Gehl at Louisville, KY in February at the National machinery Show. Why would Gehl portray this farce to the public in such a manner to mislead the public and their dealers as to their intentions?

Email your comments to Gehl at: lheidecker@gehl.com

 

[jimg]

Wow...you certainly have a wider view of it! Are you a Gehl dealer? I dont have nearly that much from here at the bottom as an end user. As an end user I really dont care that much where its made, company politics etc. I just want it to be reliable, do what I need, easy to keep up, good support and have a good source of spare parts into the future. From what youve said Im unsure whether Gehl is a smart buy or not. Since they refused buyout offers are they just letting the equipment drop and not selling to anyone or is the Gehl name going to remain? Their good name is worth some money. Its hard to imagine theyd not recoup something from the reputation theyve gained so far. So, back full circle...as an end user are they going to be there w/ spare parts for me some years down the road?

 

[HayDR]

Gehl will be required by law to provide parts for 7-10 years but what if it takes 2 weeks for you to obtain a part while you lose your hay crop? Just think if you purchased a new Gehl product in the last 4 years it lost 50% of it's value because there will be no dealer network for support that product. Why should a dealer support a company that shafted them? Gehl could not have handled this situation any worse than what was done.
Gehl could have sold the intellectual property, going concern and accounts receivable. The MFG's interested in Gehl would move the production to their facilities.
No I'm not a Gehl dealer.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

From what Mark has said, the dealers have a lot of inventory and lost their marketing for their products. You might be able to buy a couple discbines for the price of one if the dealers start trying to unload them. Then if one breaks down you can use the other while you wait for a part /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I am still disappointed in how Gehl ended its ag line.

 

[jimg]

Thanx for the further explanation! Good business sense says theyd help dealers sell the remaining stock and keep current customers in parts and support. It sounds like someone in corporate is too far detacted from the field...not an uncommon situation these days.

Im also puzzled why they didnt sell to an interested party but instead just dropped the line. Thats certain to effect their remaining product lines.

Thanx again for your help...

 

[jimg]

Im sure dealers are trying to figure out what to do next. Id hate to be in their shoes! I agree, its a sad way to end a very good and highly regarded product line. It really defies all sense. I guess Ill have to start looking at other mfgs now as I *was* all set on buying a Gehl.

ETA: In retrospect I was wrong about not caring beyond wanting reliable equipment. I know how important a good dealer is but never extended that to the equipment mfg. Im going to put down some sizable money and trust in equipment that will effect my bottomline. The last thing I need is equipment that I cant get support and parts for. OTOH Im not real sure how to figure out what the mfg is about short of becoming a stock holder. Has anyone thought about this and how do you approach the problem?

 

[HayDR]

The dealers have been offered up to a 20% extra discount and a rebate. Just remember Gehl is good equipment but what about warranty, a servicing dealership and parts availability?

 

[jimg]

20% discount & rebate on stock in Gehls inventory or whats on the dealers lot already? Yes, Gehl is good equipment which is why I was planning to buy it. Ill likely talk to the dealer in my area and find out what the drill is before doing anymore. Thanx for your input I do appreciate it.